Ormskirk Civic Hall closes after company closes due to insufficient funds

Ormskirk Civic Hall has closed down after the company that ran it became insolvent.

Forward Motion Art CIC, who also ran the Engine Rooms in Skelmersdale posted on their Facebook page in January that they were due to cease trading.

Owners James and Emma Furnell said: “It is with great regret that we announce after eight wonderful years we have been faced with the difficult decision of closing Forward Motion Art CIC, due to insufficient funds.

“As many of you will already know, 2015 was a very difficult year for us personally and we were unable to focus our full attention on business.”

They secured the hall on a long-term lease from the council and booked several big names, such as Paul Sinha to play at the venue.

Now however despite two successful years the Civic Hall is again closed for business, with all upcoming bookings for the venue cancelled.

West Lancashire Performing Arts, a stage school for children aged 4-18, were due to rehearse and put on two evening performances at the Civic Hall last weekend and this coming weekend.

However they were told be Emma Furnell that their booking would no longer be fulfilled and were cancelled from immediate effect.

John Nelson Head of Leisure and Cultural Services at West Lancashire Borough Council said: “This is extremely sad news and affects a number of organisations, who have bookings for events and weddings over coming months.

“The current bookings have all been cancelled and the Company is now writing to creditors advising them that they are now insolvent.

“The Company have a long lease for the premises and we are in discussions about the termination of the lease.

“I am unable to provide any direction regarding the future operation of the Civic Hall at this time.

“When we have confirmation regarding the surrender of the lease we will then need to consider the future of the Hall which may include seeking a new community provider to take over the lease.”